North Carolina Tar Heels guard Elliot Cadeau (3) congratulates guard Drake Powell (9) on a three point basket against Virginia Tech Hokies during the second half at Cassell Coliseum. Brian Bishop-Imagn Images

How UNC, Arkansas played themselves into position for NCAA Tournament

By Andrew Wright | Last updated Mar 5, 2025 4:53 PM ET

Just a few weeks after it looked like both the North Carolina Tar Heels and Arkansas Razorbacks were on the brink of missing the NCAA Tournament, both teams have played their way right into it.

In the latest "Bracketology" from ESPN insider Joe Lunardi, the Tar Heels are among the First Four Out and the Razorbacks are one of the Last Four In.

North Carolina has won six straight games since an 85-65 loss to Clemson at the beginning of February. They have gone from no chance at the tournament to a signature win away from locking up their spot.

That path begins Saturday when the Tar Heels welcome No. 2 Duke to Chapel Hill for the second matchup between the two this season. Duke handled UNC, 87-70 in the first matchup, but anything can happen when the two meet up.

These UNC vs Duke moments will give you chills pic.twitter.com/9dzcOn4xUP
— ACC Digital Network (@theACCDN) February 8, 2025

For Arkansas, its win on the road against Vanderbilt on Tuesday night may have very well locked them into the tournament. It got the Razorbacks to 7-10 in the conference and their fifth win in Quad 1 games.

If Arkansas has not yet proven to the selection committee that it is worthy, it has one more chance to prove a point in the regular season finale on Saturday against No. 25 Mississippi State.

A win over the Bulldogs would be yet another Quad 1 victory for the Razorbacks and would certainly clinch their spot in the tournament.

What a bounce-back win for Arkansas at Vanderbilt.

The Hogs get their fifth Quad 1 win of the season over a projected tournament team on the road.

Big win for Coach Cal pic.twitter.com/hG9jWstAh0
— College Basketball Report (@CBKReport) March 5, 2025

After some recent claims that the two teams didn't belong close to the tournament, both iconic programs have scratched and clawed into prime position to return to the "Big Dance" in March.

Andrew Wright

Andrew "Dew" Wright graduated from Charleston Southern University with a degree in Communication Studies. He is a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Washington Commanders fan.

More must-reads: